Focus RS Buying Guide: Rolling chassis

Filling the wider arches of the Focus RS are 18-inch OZ Racing alloy wheels. The five-spoke design was a direct copy of the wheels used on the Focus WRC for tarmac rallies and they were shod from new in bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport 225/40R18 tyres. Stopping power comes from 325mm vented front discs and four-pot Brembo calipers, while the rear uses 280mm solid discs and two-pot calipers. A Bosch MK25 anti-lock braking system helps prevent skidding, while those looking for stronger brakes for track work will find a 343mm Big Brake kit available from AP Racing. Drivers looking simply to improve braking power for less outlay would be wise to invest in a set of EBC Redstuff pads and discs as direct replacements for the originals.

Running gear is seriously beefed up

Mounting the wheels and brakes at the front to the chassis are stronger lower A-arms with a hydro bush and a MacPherson strut with 25mm shorter spring to lower the RS's ride height next to a standard Focus hatch's. Sachs dampers are used and the anti-roll bar is 18mm thick, down from the standard 2.0-litre Focus' 21mm item to give the RS better traction.

For the rear suspension, Ford stuck with the Control Blade multi-link system, firmer settings, Sachs dampers, anti-roll bar and redesigned spindles to cope with the wider track. As with the front suspension, some negative camber was also designed into the rear suspension, while stronger wheel bearings were fitted to cope with cornering forces of up to 0.94g generated by the Focus RS.

The final change to the rolling chassis of the Focus RS over a standard model was the quicker steering rack. Ford used stiffer mounting bushes to help give more steering feel and the rack itself has 2.9 turns from lock-to-lock.